Final game in the Carrier Dome: Q and A with Arinze Onuaku

Has it seemed like five years? Yes. Four years is a long time, but coming into college and having surgery, having never been hurt in my life, it definitely seems like five years. We’ve been here a long time.

How would you rate your own career? I would rate it as a great career. I think I’ve accomplished a lot more than people thought I would when I first came here. I wasn’t a highly recruited player out of high school at all. So I think I had a great career.

What’s the best advice a coach at SU gave to you? Keep working and never doubt yourself. They always told me there was no limitations on what I could do. So as long as I work hard, I’m going to see the benefit in the end.

What’s the best advice a parent gave to you? When I first got here, I missed home a lot. My parents used to tell me, ‘Now you’re becoming a man. You’re living on your own. And this is where you grow up. This is how life is going to be.’

What are the chances that a future employer will be able to pronounce your name? Probably little. Unless they’re a Syracuse fan. Then they’ll know exactly how to pronounce it.

What do you like the most about Andy Rautins? Andy Rautins is a great guy. We came in from Day One and we’ve been great friends since Day One. As good a player as he is, he’s even a better person off the floor. There’s nothing I don’t like about him, actually. How can I not like him? He gets me the ball.

How will you react to the senior day festivities? I really don’t know. All I can think about right now is Gerry (McNamara), his last game. He was crying. I guess I gotta wait until it actually happens to see how I’m going to react.

What degree will you have when you graduate in May? A sports management degree with a minor in communications.

What will you be doing a year from now? Hopefully, I’m gonna be a pro.

What’s your best memory at Syracuse? The win on Saturday, in front of the record crowd. Having a big win and now being No. 1 in the country. Even though it happened right now, I think when I look back on it, it’s probably going to be one of the best memories.

What’s your worst memory at Syracuse? When we got snubbed and went to the NIT. (Onuaku sat out the 2006-07 season after knee surgery. SU went to the NIT in 2007 and 2008.)

If you could give some advice to the freshmen coming in to Syracuse next year, what would it be? Work hard. The biggest thing is you may not be starting as a freshman. But if you work hard over time, when it’s your time, you’re gonna shine.